Di Tian Revealed!

Within the academy.

Numerous students left their quarters.

They looked up at the Golden Ranking.

Third place had yet to appear.

Everyone was waiting.

A night passed.

Early the next morning.

Golden ripples spread across the lake around the True Dragon Tower.

Shui Bing'er woke from her cultivation.

Shui Yue'er also emerged from the third floor.

She looked slightly exhausted, and her sleeves were soaked with sweat.

Yet a drop of deep blue heavy water hovered above her palm.

The heavy water floated three inches above her palm.

It did not fall.

Shui Yue'er hurried to the edge of the platform.

"Headmaster, I've done it."

Long Yao glanced at the heavy water.

"Keep going today."

Shui Yue'er's expression froze.

"Still three inches?"

"Six inches."

Shui Yue'er looked down at her palm.

The drop of heavy water immediately crashed to the ground.

She hastily brought the heavy water back into the stone chamber.

Shui Bing'er came onto the platform.

"Third place is about to appear."

Shui Yue'er raised her head.

The golden light, which had been circulating slowly, had begun gathering at the center of the ranking.

The Golden Ranking had yet to reveal any images.

A heavy draconic aura descended upon the continent first.

The lake's surface instantly sank.

The dragon patterns around the True Dragon Tower lit up simultaneously.

The draconic aura that had lain dormant within the tower for years responded at that moment as well.

Shui Yue'er took a few steps closer to Long Yao.

"Is this the Dragon Clan's aura?"

Long Yao looked up at the Golden Ranking.

"Yes."

Shui Bing'er asked, "Is third place also a member of the Dragon Clan?"

"Black Dragon."

Long Yao said, "The Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King."

"Di Tian."

Shui Yue'er blinked.

"Di Tian from the Star Dou Great Forest?"

Shui Bing'er recalled the tall figure beside the Lake of Life.

When the Golden Ranking had previously reviewed the Evil Emperor, the Snow Empress, and the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, Di Tian had appeared in the images several times.

But no one knew his true cultivation.

Now.

Di Tian ranked above Qian Daoliu.

He stood third on the Golden Ranking.

Shui Yuerou arrived at the foot of the True Dragon Tower.

She, too, had heard Long Yao's words.

"Headmaster, just how many years of cultivation does Di Tian possess?"

"Eight hundred and ninety thousand years."

Long Yao watched the sky.

"He is the strongest ferocious beast beneath the sovereign of all soul beasts on the Douluo Continent."

"He is also the current patriarch of the black dragon race."

Shui Yue'er looked up at the Golden Ranking.

"Eight hundred and ninety thousand years of cultivation?"

"The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King already had nine hundred and ninety thousand years of cultivation when he appeared on the ranking."

"Di Tian's cultivation is lower than his, yet he ranks three places higher?"

"Years of cultivation cannot determine overall strength."

Long Yao said, "Di Tian possesses the pure bloodline of the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King."

"He also commands power passed down by the Dragon God."

"The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King can draw upon the deep sea origin while in the ocean."

"Di Tian does not need to rely on any particular terrain."

Shui Bing'er nodded gently.

"So even if Di Tian leaves the Star Dou Great Forest, his strength won't diminish."

"Correct."

Long Yao looked into the distance.

At the center of the Golden Ranking.

An enormous golden eye slowly opened.

The instant the eye appeared.

Soul beasts across the entire continent lowered themselves to the ground in unison.

Deep within the Star Dou Great Forest.

All the low-ranked soul beasts stopped moving.

Ten-thousand-year soul beasts swiftly retreated to their territories.

Several hundred-thousand-year soul beasts lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to raise their heads.

Above the Lake of Life.

Black clouds spread rapidly.

A massive figure emerged from the clouds.

Pitch-black dragon scales covered his entire body.

When his dragon wings spread, they obscured a vast expanse of sky.

Dark golden patterns flowed across every dragon scale.

Golden dragon eyes gazed down upon the forest.

Draconic might spread from the heart of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Countless ancient trees bent to either side.

The lake surged into towering waves a hundred zhang high.

Xiong Jun looked up at the sky.

"Third place."

All three of the Scarlet King's heads turned toward the black dragon in the air.

"Di Tian has made the ranking after all."

The Myriad Demon King stood beneath an ancient tree.

The emerald branches and leaves stopped swaying.

"With Di Tian's strength, it's no surprise that he made the top three."

Bi Ji stood beside the Lake of Life.

She looked toward Di Tian.

"Congratulations."

Di Tian did not respond.

His gaze remained fixed on the third-place position on the Golden Ranking.

His brows gradually furrowed.

Third place.

This ranking was not what he had expected.

The Evil Emperor ranked eighth.

The Snow Empress ranked seventh.

The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King ranked sixth.

Bo Saixi ranked fifth.

Qian Daoliu ranked fourth.

In Di Tian's view.

He should have ranked second.

Across the entire Douluo Continent.

Only his lord could firmly stand a notch above him.

Even if the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King obtained the deep sea god position.

Even if Bo Saixi and Qian Daoliu could borrow divine power.

Di Tian had never believed they could defeat him.

Yet now.

The Golden Ranking had placed him third.

This meant.

Aside from his lord.

There was another being ranked ahead of him.

Xiong Jun looked at Di Tian.

"You're third?"

Di Tian's golden eyes narrowed slightly.

"I, too, would like to know."

"Who is second?"

Beneath the Lake of Life.

Gu Yuena opened her violet eyes.

She was not surprised that Di Tian had ranked third.

The Dragon God Claw.

His black dragon bloodline.

His yin-yang complementary dual soul cores.

Together with eight hundred and ninety thousand years of cultivation.

Di Tian was strong enough to surpass Qian Daoliu.

But on the Douluo Continent.

There was still one other person.

Gu Yuena looked in the direction of Skywater Academy.

She knew who held second place.

Di Tian likewise thought of Long Yao.

But soon after that thought surfaced, he frowned.

Long Yao could erase the Snow Empress's Absolute Zero with a single finger.

He could also revive the True Dragon Tower.

His strength far exceeded the ordinary god level.

If Long Yao participated in the ranking.

He should not merely be second.

But apart from Long Yao and Gu Yuena.

Di Tian could think of no third answer.

Upon the Golden Ranking.

Golden words finally descended.

[Third place on the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking.]

[The strongest ferocious beast of the Star Dou Great Forest.]

[The Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King.]

[Cultivation: 890,000 years.]

[Di Tian.]

Five lines of text illuminated the sky.

Across the continent.

Countless soul masters raised their heads to look at that name.

After a brief silence.

Discussion swiftly spread.

"Di Tian?"

"The Star Dou Great Forest was actually hiding an 890,000-year soul beast!"

"Why was he ranked above Qian Daoliu?"

"With 890,000 years of cultivation, he was only third?"

"There are still two places ahead of him!"

"Who exactly are first and second?"

In the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial palace.

Xue Ye gazed at the black dragon in the sky.

His palm rested on the railing.

"The Star Dou Great Forest."

"An 890,000-year ferocious beast."

A minister stood behind him with his head lowered.

"Your Majesty, Di Tian's cultivation is lower than the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's."

"Yet the Golden Ranking placed him third."

Xue Ye gazed at those golden dragon eyes.

"That can only mean one thing."

"His true combat strength far exceeds his years of cultivation."

The minister raised his head toward the Golden Ranking.

"After receiving his rewards, Qian Daoliu has already reached the very limit below god level."

"Di Tian is ranked above Qian Daoliu."

"Could he already possess god-level combat strength?"

Xue Ye did not answer.

He simply gazed at the Star Dou Great Forest displayed in the sky.

The Heaven Dou Empire bordered the Star Dou Great Forest.

In the past.

The empire had only known that hundred-thousand-year soul beasts lived deep within the forest.

Now.

An 890,000-year Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King had appeared before everyone's eyes.

And yet.

Di Tian was only third.

Xue Ye slowly spoke.

"Send orders to the border garrisons."

"They are not to enter the Star Dou Great Forest of their own accord."

"All nobles hunting soul beasts must remain within designated areas."

The minister immediately bowed.

"Yes."

In the Star Luo Empire.

Dai Tianfeng stood before the palace.

Golden dragon eyes shone across the sky.

Below the palace.

The assembled ministers remained silent.

A moment later.

Dai Tianfeng spoke.

"890,000 years."

"The Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King."

"The power hidden within the Star Dou Great Forest is more terrifying than the intelligence gathered by either empire suggests."

A general lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, Di Tian ranks third."

"If he leads a beast tide out of the forest, the border cities will be unable to withstand it."

Dai Tianfeng looked at the general.

"If Di Tian wanted to destroy the border cities, he would not need to lead a beast tide."

"He alone would be enough."

The general said nothing more.

Dai Tianfeng turned his gaze back to the Golden Ranking.

"Even third place is Di Tian."

"Who could the two beings ranked above him be?"

In Spirit City.

Outside the Worship Hall.

Qian Daoliu gazed at Di Tian's name.

The Six-Winged Angel Divine Seal between his brows was still radiating golden light.

After the Million-Year Soul Ring had merged with him.

His strength had reached a new level.

Yet the Golden Ranking still placed Di Tian above him.

Golden Crocodile Douluo stood below the steps.

"Great Enshrined."

"Di Tian has only 890,000 years of cultivation."

"What gives him the right to rank above you?"

Qian Daoliu was not shaken by the change in rankings.

"The Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King's bloodline is among the most powerful in the Dragon Clan."

"The years Di Tian has lived also far exceed my own."

Golden Crocodile Douluo looked up at the black dragon.

"But you have already received the Angel Divine Seal and the Million-Year Soul Ring."

"Di Tian has yet to receive his rewards."

Qian Daoliu gripped his scepter.

"The Golden Ranking compares strength before one enters the rankings."

"If Di Tian ranks above me, he naturally possesses the power to match."

Azure Luan Douluo stood to one side.

"Great Enshrined, do you believe he has already reached god level?"

"His soul power has not broken through to god level."

Qian Daoliu looked at Di Tian's dragon claws.

"But his bloodline, physical body, and innate abilities are already capable of threatening god-level beings."

Before the Papal Palace.

Bibi Dong looked up at Di Tian.

Rakshasa divine power flowed slowly within her.

That draconic might crossed space and descended upon Spirit City.

The soul masters around the Papal Palace were all suppressed to varying degrees.

Bibi Dong did not unfurl her domain.

She gazed at third place on the Golden Ranking.

"Di Tian."

"The true ruler of the Star Dou Great Forest."

Chrysanthemum Douluo stood behind her.

"Your Holiness."

"Di Tian ranks above the Great Enshrined."

"Could there be even stronger soul beasts within the Star Dou Great Forest?"

Bibi Dong's gaze settled on the Lake of Life.

The Golden Ranking had revealed only Di Tian.

Xiong Jun, Scarlet King, Bi Ji, and Myriad Demon King stood by the lake.

At the center of the lake.

There were no other figures.

"There probably are."

Bibi Dong said, "Though Di Tian is an 890,000-year ferocious beast, he has always remained near the Lake of Life."

"He may not merely be guarding his own territory."

Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression tightened.

"A being worthy of Di Tian's protection..."

Bibi Dong did not continue.

She looked at the two empty places at the very top of the Golden Ranking.

Di Tian ranked third.

If an even stronger being was hidden within the Star Dou Great Forest.

Could that being be among the top two?

At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

On the mountain behind it.

Chen Xin stood before the Ancient Sword.

He had stopped contemplating it.

The draconic might in the sky caused the Ancient Sword to give a faint hum.

Gu Rong came to the mountain.

"Di Tian ranks third."

Chen Xin looked up at the black dragon.

"He is stronger than Qian Daoliu."

"At least, that is the judgment the Golden Ranking has given."

Gu Rong looked at the dragon claw covered in dark golden patterns.

"890,000 years of cultivation."

"With the physical body of the Dragon Clan, even ordinary attacks would be enough to severely wound a Titled Douluo."

Ning Fengzhi approached from below the stone steps.

"Di Tian has never appeared publicly on the continent."

"Were it not for the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking, very few people would likely know he existed."

Chen Xin rested his hand on his sword hilt.

"The real question now is not how strong Di Tian is."

Gu Rong turned to him.

"You mean the top two?"

Chen Xin nodded lightly.

"Di Tian is already an 890,000-year Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King."

"Even Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi can only rank below him."

"Any being capable of surpassing Di Tian must have already stepped into god level."

Ning Fengzhi looked in the direction of Skywater Academy.

He thought of Long Yao.

The strength of Skywater Academy's dean.

No one had been able to fathom it to this day.

If Long Yao occupied one place.

There was still another place left.

Ning Fengzhi said softly, "Second and first."

"There is at least one more powerful figure unknown to the continent."

Chen Xin did not disagree.

Gu Rong also fell silent.

In the Evil Demon Forest.

The Evil Emperor opened his lone eye.

The Evil God Crown hovered above his head.

Purple-black mental power gathered into a sea, blocking the draconic might Di Tian unleashed.

"Third place."

The Evil Emperor looked at Di Tian in the sky.

He did not question it.

Di Tian had mastered the Dragon God Claw.

That ability alone was enough to grievously wound any being below god level.

After obtaining the Evil God Crown, the Evil Emperor's strength had increased considerably.

Yet he still had no confidence he could withstand the Dragon God Claw.

"Di Tian only ranked third."

The Evil Emperor's mental power rippled gently.

"Who else could rank above him?"

He knew the Star Dou Great Forest harbored secrets.

Di Tian stood guard at the Lake of Life year-round.

With his cultivation.

There was no need for him to guard a lake for ordinary soul beasts.

Beneath that lake.

Something far more important had to exist.

But the Evil Emperor had never approached the heart of the Star Dou Great Forest.

He did not know, either.

Just who Di Tian was protecting.

The Far North.

The Ice Empress stood at the edge of the Ice Platform.

She looked up at Di Tian on the Golden Ranking.

"Sister Snow Empress."

"Di Tian made the top three, just as expected."

The Snow Empress nodded gently.

"The Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King."

"He possesses the Dragon Clan's most exalted bloodline."

The Ice Empress raised her two pincers.

"Di Tian ranked third."

"Do you know who could rank above him?"

The Snow Empress looked toward the Star Dou Great Forest.

She had sensed Di Tian's aura before.

Eight hundred and ninety thousand years of cultivation.

Yin-yang complementary dual soul cores.

And the Dragon God Claw on top of that.

Di Tian's strength was indeed greater than hers.

The Snow Empress now possessed the God of the Far North divine position.

But before receiving her reward.

She could not defeat Di Tian.

"Dean Long Yao should take one of the spots."

The Snow Empress said, "As for the other person."

"I don't know."

The Ice Empress looked toward the Lake of Life.

"Could it be a soul beast in the Star Dou Great Forest?"

The Snow Empress did not answer.

After Di Tian appeared on the ranking.

Several ferocious beasts had appeared beside the Lake of Life.

Those ferocious beasts all stood behind Di Tian.

That already made it clear.

Di Tian was the strongest, at least on the surface.

But the Snow Empress noticed one thing.

When Di Tian faced the lake.

He remained respectful throughout.

Anyone the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King treated that way.

Could never be an ordinary soul beast.